By: Halacha Yomit team of OU KOSHER

May one walk outside a hotel on Shabbat that is on the outskirts of a city where there are no houses?

Yes, one can walk without carrying, but one should be careful not to walk outside the techum Shabbat which is two thousand amot (approximately 3,750 feet) outside of the city. This rule applies even if one wishes to walk for the purpose of a mitzvah, such as praying with a minyan. The only way one may walk further is by making an eiruv techumin, which will enable them to walk an additional two thousand amot from where they place their eiruv. It should be noted that an eiruv techumin can only be done for the sake of a mitzvah. (See Shulchan Aruch OC 415 and Orchos Chaim.)